The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-06
PROF. SMITH LOSES HIS MIND
He Attempts the Liieof Dr.. Beasley, Fir
ing -Four Intellectual Shots at Him.
No Cause Known for the Professors NurGerous
Freak. Which Can Only be Explained OF
the Ground that lie Is Clearly Insane.

5pecisi to The Ind;arapCiis journal
LAFAYETTE, Ind. Jan. about haie-past
O'clock this morning Prof e. L. Smith. late
president of the Indiana Teachers Association,
ana pS'il recently with Purdue University.
made '-sefe9nfsE Eat unsuccessful attempt to
kill DIR. George < Beasley. member of the
Common Council and prominent physician.
! TO the Journal reporter DR.. Beasley thns
>Tated the details. He was in his office on Ferry
street and saw Smith go past the window. He
had known him for years. been his physician
and was quite inli.nate with him. Beasey
stepped TO the door and called out. Good morn
ing Professor" Smith by this time had gone
by the Office, and thinking that he had not heard
him Beasley shouted out, Smith! SMITH"
The Professor stopped. and turning around
came back toward Beasley, who by this time had
stepped down the pavement AS he came
up. Beasley again said. Good morning." He
said that he noticed that Smith was very pale
and looked strangely. Instead of meeting him
ln'thnt cordial MANNER that his won't the
Professor bowed stfly, hut said not word
Beasley thereupon sought TO rally him little,
and jocosely Unmarked. Il By the papers that
! you had little shooting match at Indianapolis
last week. Al the mention Of shooting he
says Smith seemed TO recall forgotten
thought, for he suddenly threw back his head,
and, thrnsting his hand III his pocket drew out
arevolver and began TO shoot At the first re-
port Beasley retrcated into the hallway and into
tis Office. Smith filing two more shots. These
struck the walls in the hail and the doctors sign
on the door After the third shot Smith walked
west a few steps, then turning back, he came up
tn ha off tripC and Pr. -iox-
in the Office. hs fred through the glass
This ball struck the doctor on the
right side of the breast passed through his two
coats, and striking the buckle his suspender,
detected and removed the skin sufficiently to
draw blood. When his clothes unbuttoned.
the bullet fell to the foor
y Smith remained outside, and began reloadlug
his weapon. While Robert Wallace sought to
aisarm Smith. Captain Behm succeeded in get
,nc Beasloy into his tBehm'sl law Office out of
sarm's way, and telephoned for an officer The
latter demanded The pistol of Smith; ne at first
refused TO give it up. but finally yielded, and
was taken to the police court.
Hers,he paced back and forth for few mo-
ments, Wrinciug his hands and crying out al
ternatey, "Oh, my poor, poor babies. who will
= care for them ana On my head. ny head -
He soon sank into kind of strpor, and this
gave rise 10 the rumor that he had
taken poison. Stimulauts were with diff
Guilty gotten down his throat he rro;estino o
occasionally. II don't use spirits" Half dozen
opyhysicans we're soon on hand, and after work.
ing with him for while, be taken to the
Lahr House. accompanied by doctor
There is doubt that Smith was deranceG
this morning At times he looked more like a
wild beast than human being, and again he
rad vacant look that was horrible 10 The
Journal reporter tried TO converse with him a
littlo In the police court but all he would say
was. "Oh. my poor, poor babies what will be
come OF them He never at any time referred
10 his wife. directly otherwise and when
asked the direct question il there was not some
- one that he would like to have with him or sent
for, he asked for undertaken William
Folckemer
h-Natprally every one asks, why should he try
No kill Bessley. who was his family phvsicianl
The question finds open answer No one
doubts that he was insane when lie attempted
10 xii the doctor, but as to what caused his in.
Ianty they do not profess to know Some at.
rlbute II 10 the fact that he was removed from
ne facnlty Of Purdue last fail, resulting in sneh
prolific newspaper his part wherein
~ seemed bent on oustinr Professor Smart and
ahers ascrioe IL 10 modification over his de-
eat Tor State Superintendent of Public Instruc.
ion, position tina: he very much coveted.
- In this connection il may rot be improper ia
~ that nine out of every ten PERSONS In this
; Ky booted and secuted the idea Of his acci